Fiber conditioner



Feb. 1927. 1,618 893 R. B.- SMITH ET AL FIBER CONDITIONER Filed June 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gvweubow abtom 1; 1 R. B. SMITH ET AL 618 893 FIBER CONDITIONER Filed June 11, 1925 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERTB. SMITH, OF MACON, AND THELONIA IL- LOVERN, OF NEWNAN, GEORGIA,

ASSIGNORS TO BORNE, SCRYMSER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

FIBER CONDITIONER;

Application filed June 11, 1925. Serial No. 36,493.

This invention deals with apparatus for uniformly conditioning fibers to adapt them for subsequent manipulation commonly pursued in the textile industry; the primary aim being to accomplish the conditioning automatically and continuously and, especially, in a manner achieving adequate uniformity in theproduct.

In United States patent to Thompson, No. 1,401,376 granted December 27, 1921, there are detailed various expedient's previously practiced in attempts to restore natural regain or for supplying moisture in the form of water, oil, emulsion or other fluids to fibrous materials to put them in better condition for subsequent manipulations.

In that patent, it is made clear that those previous expedients were all open to various objections such as involving an excessive amount of hand-labor, requiring troublesome or space-consuming devices, etc., and especially the difiiculty of ensuring a complete uniformity in the product sub-v air-jet for atomizing and projecting the.

fluid in the form of a whirling spray onto the fiber conveyed by the apron of a conventional picker. By reason of the fact that the spray head derives its supply of air and liquid from a source wholly independently of the picker, and since the rate of running of the picker had no fixed ratio to the flow into or from the spray-head, the achievement of uniformity was not automatically possible. That is to say, an acceleration or a retardation of either the machine or of the spray-head would not cause a corresponding effect on the other; the consequence being that the fibers would receive either too little or too much of the lubricant as the case might be. The op eration of the spray-head depended primarily upon the pressure of the air and, secondarily, upon a hand-adjustment of the inlet-valve for the oil, and as the air pres sure could vary and as the small orifice of the needle-valve could be more 01- 19 of the machine; thereby ensuring a complete uniformity in the product.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a mixing picker, improved means intermittently to deliver measured quantities of fiber conditioning fluid to the fibers and to provide improved means for regulating theamount delivered at each cycle of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means for atomizing the conditioning fluid and evenly applying it to the fibers subsequently to be manipulated.

These objects have been attained by combining with a mixing-picker a fiber receivingv and conditioning device comprising a hopper adapted to receive the fibers and to deliver them to the action of suitable conveyors which transport the fibers to the mixing picker where they are suitably manipulated. While in the hopper, the fibers are restored to normal regain by being subjected to a moistening or lubricating agent which is applied thereto in measured quantities delivered at predetermined intervals and controlled by the action of a moving part of the apparatus, whereby the action of the apparatus and the device for delivering the moistening agent are coordinated. Therefore an acceleratlon or retardation of the apparatus likewise affects the moistenevenly applying it to the fibers. This means may comprise a rapidl rotating device adapted to receive the moistening agent and, big centrifugal force, throw it against suita le vanes or bafile plates which causes the moistening agent to be broken up into miconnection with the annexed drawings.

- To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as 'latter drives the elevator. -hopper 9 the fibers intermittently receive a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which L Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mixingpicker with a feeding mechanism of the usual type delivering textile fibers, such as cotton, to the apron which leads to the picker, showing the present invention em;

bodied therein. Fig. 2 is a side elevation,

partly'in section, of the device for delivering measured quantities of moistening agent to'the fibers in coordination with a moving part of the mixing-picker. Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section, of a pump embodied in the mechanism shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig; 5 is a horizontal section of an atomizing device later to be described. Fig.'

6 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 5 with the casing thereof 1n section.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion ofthe atomizing device shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Referring more particularlyto the drawings the invention is disclosed in its preferred form in combination with a mixingpicker 1 which embodies the usual traveling apron 2, picker cylinder 3 and delivery chute 4. The apron 2 and the cylinder 3 may be driven by any suitable means such, for example, as by belts 5 and 6 which in turn are driven from a shaft 7 rotated from any suitable prime-mover. Adjacent the receiving end of the picker is arranged a fiber receiving and conditioning unit 8 comprising a receiving hopper 9, having at 1ts bottom an endless carrier 10 which constantly forces the material in the hopper against an endless elevator 11 provided with a toothed surface such as card clothing or the llke. The material is discharged from the elevator 11in a sheet-like mass and passes through a chute 12 upon the conveyor apron 2 of the mixing-picker for the purpose, and in the manner,-well understood by those skllled in the art. The elevator 11 may be rotated from the shaft 7 by means of belts 13 and 14 passing around pulleys 15, 16, 17 and 18 carried by shafts 7 19 and 20, of which the While in the measured quantities of moistening agent which serves to restore the fibers to normal regain and thereby facilitates subsequent manipulation of the fibers. To insure that the fibers will not receive too much or too little of the conditioning fluid, the means for applying the fluid is preferably actuated by and coordinated with a moving part of the apparatus, such for example, as the elevator 11 which removes the fibres from the hopper. The means for applying the conditioning fluid preferably comprises a pump P located within a tank or reservoir T adapted to contain the fluid. The pump consists of a cylinder 21 secured to the bottom of the tank andhaving a central bore 22 within which is slidingly fitted a plunger 23. This lunger inlet ports 30 and an outlet port 31; of which,

the latter is connected, as by pipin 32 with an atomizing device A later to be escribed.

The eccentricity of the crank-pin with respect to the axis of the sprocket 27 gives to the plunger 23 a movement of predetermined amplitude. It will readily be perceived that the amount of moistening agent ejected from the pump will depend upon the distance that the lower end of the plunger moves below the inlet ports 30. end that the amount of moistening agent ejected at each reciprocation of the plunger 23 may be predetermined, and yet subject to change, means is provided for determining the lowermost position of the plunger 23. This is effected by an adjustment between the plunger and the crank-pin 26 and comprises a head 33 adjustably secured upon the plunger 23 and embracing the crank-pin 26. Jam nuts 34 and 35 serve to adjust the head 33 lengthwise of the plunger 23 and to hold it in itsadjusted positions. Thus it will be seen that although the extent: of reciprocation of the pump plunger 23 is constant its effective movement 1s variable and therefore any desired amount of moistening agent may be ejected at each reciprocation thereof. Inasmuch as the pump is actuated from the elevator 11 it will be evident that the two will be coordinated in their actions and that variations in the speed To the above the hopper 9 and adapted to break ing combinations and elements, or equivaup intofinely divided form the moistening agent ejected by the pump. A check valve 36 in the pipe line 32 prevents a return flow of, the moistening agent into the pump. A drain 37, normally closed by a valve 38,

connects the piping with the tank T and permits draining of the upper portion of the piping when desired. This drain also may be used to permit a return flow of the moistening agent from the piping 32 into the tank T should, for any reason, it be desired to discontinue moistening the fibers in the hopper 9.

The comminutor A preferably includes a rapidly rotating member such as a disk 39 upon which the moistening agent is delivered by the piping 32. This disk may be rotated at a high rate by means of a motor M supported in any suitable manner such, for example, as by a bracket 40. Surrounding the periphery of the disk 39 is a series of spaced baffle plates or vanes 41 held in place by rings 42 and supported by brackets 43. These brackets are carried by a casing 44 which in turn is supported by the motor M. l

The moistening agent flowing through the piping 32 is delivered upon the rotating disk 39 and carried around therewith until, by centrifugal force, it is thrown therefrom against the battle plates 41. This action causes the moistening agent to be broken up into minute globules which fall in the nature of a mist of fog upon the textile fibers in the hopper beneath the comminutor, thus uniformly and adequately moistening the fibers.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that this invention provides improved means for intermittently delivering to the textile fibers measured amounts of conditioning fluid at a rate determined by the rate of operation of the fiber handling mechanism. -Also that the amount of fluid delivered at each cycle of the mechanism may be predetermined and that the invention provides improved mechanical means to comminute or atomize .the conditioning fluid before it is applied to the fibers.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and. therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims:

Having thus revealed this invention, we claim as new and desire to secure the followlents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States 1. An apparatus for conditioning textile fibers combining a fiber-handling mechanism; a source of conditioning fluid; a comm nutor arranged to deliver the fluid in finely divided form onto fibers while being handled by said mechanism; a pipe-line for conveying fluid from said source to said comminutor; and means operated by said mechanism for definitely determining the rate of delivery of said fluid in a predetermined relation to the rate of operation of said mechanism.

2. A fiber-conditioning apparatus combining a tank for the conditioning fluid; a fiber-conveying mechanism; a comminutor for delivering a conditioning fluid in finelydivided form onto the fiber being conveyed; and an instrumentality operated in synchronism with said mechanism for conveying fluid from said tank to said comminutor in amounts proportionately to the rate of operation of said mechanism.

3. An apparatus for conditioning textile fibers combining a fiber-handling mechanism; a source of conditioning fluid; a comminutor arran ed to deliver the fluid in finely divided i orm onto fibers while being handled by said mechanism; a pipe-line for conveying fluid from said source to said comminutor; and positive delivery means intermittently operated by said mechanism for causing said fluid to 'be delivered to said comminutor in a definite ratio with respect to the rate of operation of said mechanism.

4. A fiber-conditioning a paratus combining a tank for the conditionlng fluid; afiberconveying mechanism; a comminutor for delivering a conditioning fluid in finelydivided form onto the fiber being conveyed; and a positivelyacting pump operated in synchronism with said mechanism for conveying fluid from said tank to said comminutor in amounts proportionately to the rate of operation of said mechanism.

5. An apparatus for conditioning textile fibers combining a fiber-handling mechanism; a source of conditioning fluid; a comminutor arranged to deliver the fluid in finely divided form onto fibers while being handled by said mechanism; a pipe-line for conveying fluid from said source to said comminutor; a positively-acting pump operated by said mechanism; and adjustable means for definitely determining the rate of delivery by said ump of said fluid in a predetermmed relation to the rate of operation of said mechanism.

6. A fi'ber-conditionin apparatus combining a tank for the conditioning fluid; a fiberconveying mechanism; a comminutor for delivering finely divided conditioni fluid onto the fiber being conveyed; a p unger intermittently operated in synchronism with said mechanism for causing fluid to flow from said tank to said comminutor inamounts proportionately to the rate of operation of said mechanism; and means for adjusting the throw of said plunger.

7. A fiber-conditioning apparatus combining a, tank for the conditioning fluid; a fiberconveying mechanism; a comminutor for delivering finely divided conditioning fluid onto the fibers being conveyed; a positively acting pump actuated in timed relation with said conveying mechanism and adapted to cause fluid to flow from said tank to said comminutor; and means to regulate the eifective action of said pump without affecting its extent of actuation.

8. A fiber conditioning apparatus combining a tank forthe conditioning fluid; a fiberhandling mechanism; a source of conditioning fluid; means for intermittently delivering to the fibers in said conditioning apparatus predetermined quantities of conditioning fluid from said tank, said means includ-' ing a pump; means to actuate said pump from said fiber handling mechanism; and

means to control the effective action of said pump.

9. An apparatus for conditioning textile fibers combining a fiber handling mechato comminute said fluid before it is applied to said fibers, said comminuting means including a member adapted forcibly to eject the fluid; and vanes located adjacent said member and adapted to break up the fluid ejected by said member.

10. An apparatus for conditioning textile fibers combining a fiber handling mechanism; a source of conditioning fluid; fluid conveying means to deliver to the fibers conditioning fluid from said source; and means cooperating with said fluid conveying means to comminute said fluid before it is applied to said fibers, said comminuting means including a rotating member adapted to receive and throw the fluid; and vanes located about the periphery of said member and adapted to receive and comminute the fluid thrown by said member.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

ROBERT B. SMITH. THELONIA R. LOVERN. 

